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Bridging Emerging Technologies & Enduring Designs

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The Zak World of Façades, organised by the ZAK Trade Fairs and Exhibitions Private Limited, was held at the Hyatt Regency, Delhi on September 14, 2018. With a focus on “Bridging Emerging Technologies and Enduring Designs for a Sustainable Future”, the most anticipated event has served as the best comprehensive platform for the construction industry, as it gives the chance to mingle and connect with the industry leaders from India and around the globe providing expert solutions, services and products. Besides, the conference offers a unique opportunity of knowledge sharing and cross learning on subjects related to façade design and engineering.

With more than 300 attendees, the action packed conference created a vigorous and dynamic atmosphere where specialists from the industry spoke on varied topics. The conference covered four sessions that gave significant information on what is feasible and discussed solutions in terms of innovation, technology and sustainability in the façade and the fenestration industry.

The event took off with a warm welcome address by Syed Zakir Ahmed, Zak Group. Addressing the audience, he said, “The façade and fenestration industry is so cooperative and an excellent industry. I appreciate and thank all the delegates who have come here. I want to thank them wholeheartedly and also the sponsors, including Schueco, for being very supportive worldwide.”

Rajeev Antony, Managing Director, Schueco India, who was the convenor of the event initiated the conference proceeding on an optimistic note. Antony said, “Let us use this opportunity to not only learn and exchange ideas but also to think about some of the worldly affairs which are having an impact on India and how we can make sure that our growth is stable and how we can make it the best in terms of our industry.”

Soon after, the first session of the conference commenced with a well analysed presentation on “Joining the Dots – Global Perspectives in Façade Design” by Sanhita Chaturvedi, Director, UHA India. The discussion delved on various aspects, such as geographical location influencing façade design, art here and hazard there, case studies – New Delhi, Cyprus, Mexico. This was followed by an insightful discourse on “Tailoring Brighter Spaces with Optimal Design and Dynamic Solar Control” by Sharanjit Singh, Chairman, GSC Group where he talked about harnessing natural light while keeping the glare at bay and optimum solar control for healthier, happier and efficient built environment. Kapil Chikodi, Head of Business Development, Glass Wall Systems, Chikodi elaborated on the evolution of façade, from a conventional system to unitized glazing system, reasons to have the latest elements in residential facades and integrated solution provided in the uitised glazing system. The session came to an end with a presentation by Sourabh Kankar, Marketing Manager – India, Gujarat Guardian. With a focus on the subject “The Future of Glass Façade”, Kankar explained about the evolution of glass façade, converting rendering into reality and solutions from SunGuard.

After taking a brief tea/coffee break, the second session kicked off by Prameena Karunairaj, Business Development Manager –Sun Shading Façade, FunderMax India, illuminating on “Sun Shading – Passive Architectural Solution Using High Pressure Laminates”. She shed light on the significance of passive architecture, energy efficiency benefits of sun shading using high pressure laminates and social aspects of improving the performance of built spaces. S Ravishankar, Manager – Application Engineering and Tech Services, Dow, shared his insight and expertise on “Emerging Trends and Technologies for Building Façade”. Next presentation was made by Gautam Bhasin, Regional Manager, Inhabit Group, highlighting “Façades Shaped by the Elements” with more details on the evolution of façades in their current form, growing need to incorporate passive design principles in building concepts and understanding constraints and defining design strategies. Nitin Govila, Managing Director – APAC & MEA, Serge Ferrari, explained on “Tensile Membrane Façade – Lightweight + Durable”. He further talked about thermal comfort and solar protection, visual comfort and glare control and dynamic facades with day/night effect. The event featured a highly thought provoking panel discussion on “Project Management and its Effectivity in Façade Execution”, moderated by KR Suresh, Regional Director, Axis Façades. The panelists who took part in the discussion included Manish Bhardwaj, Head – Contracts and Procurement, Max Estates; Sohrab Dalal, Principal Architect, Design Plus; Rahul Tyagi, Principal Architect, Rahul Tyagi Associates; Pallav Saxena, Senior Vice President – Projects, Lotus Greens; Gautam Bhasin, Regional Manager, Inhabit Group and Balaji Chandran, Head – Specialty Business, FunderMax India. They brainstormed on many facets pertaining to the topic, such as clarity on the materials and budget for the project with additional emphasis on VE options for the project, possible loopholes in the system which affect the façade execution and quality, possible solutions to ensure timely completion of the project, quality control measures during façade execution and the stakeholders involved in the process.

The third session began with an enlightening discourse by Sushant Verma, Founding Partner, rat [LAB] – Research in Architecture & Technology, on “Parametric Façade Design”. He gave an indepth analysis of advanced design technologies for building skins, controlling data and geometry using algorithms and façade optimization using computational tools. Oliver Hans, Senior Manager for Insight and Foresight, Schüco International, emphasized on “Façades and Digitalization”, where he highlighted the evolution of façade design, systematically unique façades and new functions of the surface. The next presentation was given by Partho Dutta, Principal, Populous, on “Stadium Façades”. He spoke about the design principles, trends and technologies, case studies – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London; Estadio BBVA Bancomer Stadium, Mexico. Malvinder Singh Rooprai, Technical Consultant – Asia Pacific Region, Kuraray, addressed on the topic “Evolving Laminated Safety Glass”. He talked about the influence of interlayer properties, Indian standard regulations and analysis of glass fins.

The last programme of the session was the panel discussion on “Is Indian industry equipped to carry out impeccable façade jobs?” which was equally engaging and stimulating. Moderated by Rajeev Antony, Managing Director, Schueco India, and KR Suresh, Regional Director, Axis Façades, the panelists included Anupam Bansal, Director, ABRD Architects; Ahmed Ali Sumair, Director, Sahvia Façade; Varun Juneja, SVP – Architecture, ATS Infrastructures; Mukti Prakash, General Manager – Design, TCG Development; Pallav Saxena, Senior Vice President – Projects, Lotus Greens; Karan Keswani, Director, Aluplex India; and Kapil Chikodi, Head – Business Development, Glass Wall Systems. The discussion was interactive in nature and discussed in details about planning, supply chain and logistics, technical skill set and quality control and shortfalls.

The conference was complemented by a display of newly launched products by many brands, including Mccoy Soudal, Schueco, FG Glass, Renson, Trosifol, Fundermax, Kinlong, Akzo Nobel India, Glass Wall Systems, Corian, Dow, GSC Glass, Modigaurd, Serge Ferrari, Technorail, among others. Besides, many companies gave demonstrations of their latest products and technologies, which stirred a ripple of interest and attention among the delegates and visitors. Zak World of Façades is an international conference series on the subject of façade design and engineering. The conference now takes place in South Asia (India & Sri Lanka), South East Asia (Singapore & Indonesia), Greater China (Hong Kong), Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), Africa (Kenya) and the United Kingdom.

The sponsors included Schueco, Glass Wall Systems, Alstone, Dow, FGGlass, Fundermax, Kinlong, Mccoy Soudal, Modiguard, Serge Ferrari, Trosifol, etc. Window and Façade magazine was the media partner and Fensterbau Frontale was the strategic partner of the exclusive event.